Senator Andrew Ciesla, R-10, noted with concern an Asbury Park Press report that toll road revenues have fallen steeply, and he again urged the governor to call a Special Session of the Legislature this summer to address the state’s transportation funding problem.
Falling toll collections have led to a nearly 5 percent drop in revenue on the Turnpike, the newspaper reported. Garden State Parkway revenue is down 4.2 percent.
“Tolls are becoming a less reliable source of revenue because high fuels costs have forced drivers to cut back. If collections continue to be weak, it’s apparent that the Parkway and Turnpike will need all the tolls they can collect to pay their own maintenance and repair expenses. Yet every week, we hear of a new proposal for using tolls from these roadways to finance other projects.
“Winning support for steep toll hikes on these highways to finance statewide transportation needs gets less likely everyday. It was never the best option in the first place. We need a Plan B. I again urge the governor to call a Special Session because the deadline for refinancing the state’s Transportation Trust Fund is rapidly approaching.
“Lawmakers should engage in a wide-ranging, bipartisan debate that examines every reasonable option for financing transportation, especially cutting back government spending to free up funds for transportation. This issue is so important that it deserves legislators’ undivided attention. A Special Session would provide that opportunity.”
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September 18, 2008
